PHILETUS MONROE Philetus Monroe, merchant at Hesperia, was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., July 17, 1815. He was a son of Dan and Hannah (Sexton) Monroe, natives of the same State. His parents removed to Chenango Co., N. Y., when Philetus was only 11 months of age, and here he received the advantages of a common school education. Mr. Monroe was variously employed from the age of 14 to 18, when he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Johnson, of Onodaga, Onondaga Co., N.Y., to learn the shoemaker's trade; but, after a few months, went to Syracuse, Onondaga Co., N.Y., where he completed his trade and remained, working at the same until the year 1838. In the summer of that year he left Syracuse and wandered around until the year 1841, when he located in the village of Rome, Oneida Co., N.Y., begin business for himself and met with good success. Mr. Monroe was married at Rome, N.Y., May 18, 1842, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Ephraim and Susan Larkin, natives of New York, where Mary A. was born May 18, 1819. She died in Chenango Co., N. Y., Aug. 31, 1861. By this union they had seven children, four girls and three boys. Mr. Monroe was again married Jan. 9, 1862, in the city of Albany, N.Y., to Miss Wealthy M., daughter of Frederick and Mary (Tyler) Cunningham, natives of New England and of Scotch and Irish descent. She was born in the town of Butternut Grove, Delaware Co., N. Y., and was educated in the select of schools of that town. After this marriage, Mr. Monroe removed to Oxford, N.Y., where he followed his trade until the spring of 1864, when he came to Michigan, settled in this county and purchased 160 acres of wild land. He remained on this land until the year 1873, during which time he had improved 80 acres of it, when he traded the entire tract for property in the village of Hesperia, moved there and engaged in mercantile business, and met with excellent success, his annual trade amounting to $25,000. He sold out his stock of goods preparing to live a retired life on his farm near the town of Hesperia, this county. He was a member of the Masonic Order and of the I.O.O.F., and held the office of Treasurer in each. He was Treasurer of the village of Hesperia, and had also been Treasurer of the township. In politics he was an active Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his last reunion Mr. Monroe has had no children.